Japanese aerial reconnaissance flight over Senkaku Islaes. Reuters file photograph
A top officer of the U.S. Navy reaffirmed Washington's commitment Wednesday (early Thursday in the Philippines) to defending a group of Japan-administered islets in the East China Sea under a bilateral security treaty. That is, if attacked, while taking the rare step of naming China as the potential aggressor.
"We will clearly defend them if they are attacked by China," Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the Pacific Command, said in an event at a Washington think tank, referring to the Senkakus, a group of islets claimed by China, which calls them the Diaoyu.
U.S. leaders, including President Barack Obama, have already stated that the 1960 security treaty, which obliges the U.S. military to defend Japan if it is attacked, covers the Senkakus, but have not specified a potential aggressor.
Washington says it does not take sides in the rival claims to sovereignty over the islets.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/123403/u-s--admiral-vows-to-defend-japans-senkakus-if-attacked-names-china
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